Our everyday life involves fashion. Despite this, talking about fashion sometimes makes people uncomfortable. This may be due to a lack of a proper definition of what fashion is.
Simply put, fashion is the style of clothing that a certain group of people wears at any given time. The fashion industry is international and highly globalized.
People all over the world have seen how fashion rapidly changes over a short period. Nowadays, the trend is to avoid fast fashion and to opt for more sustainable fashion choices in dressing up.
Fashion and Technology
These days, there have been many technological advances made to push forward the global fashion industry. These innovations have been made to adapt to the worldwide changes in the economy and lifestyles. Consumers of fashion have evolved, especially with the advent of social media. This is why the fashion industry needs to keep up with the increase and changes in consumer demand.
Fashion and technology work together. They complement each other in developing innovations in their respective fields. Here are some technological innovations that have tapped into the realm of the fashion industry in recent years.
In the fashion industry, laser cutting has been used since the nineteenth century. Through this technology, the fashion industry has produced pieces such as reinventing the World War I trench coat design. With robot vision systems, laser cutting has been optimized and become more efficient for applications such as textile cutting, allowing more opportunities for innovation and production.
Though not directly related to clothing production, artificial intelligence has been an innovation that the fashion industry has been taking advantage of. This technology has been used to enhance the customers’ shopping experience and monitor the consumers’ preferences to inform the brand of its trends and sales.
Mobile commerce is rapidly becoming the next best alternative to brick-and-mortar shops. With the convenience of mobile phones, shopping online using a smartphone has never been more enjoyable. This branch of eCommerce has allowed consumers to make quick purchases that satisfy their impulsive tendencies.
3D printing is not only for toys and components. 3D printing has also penetrated the fashion industry. Despite requiring more hours to produce, 3D printing results in less waste and is less labor-intensive than other types of manufacturing. This process might be a sustainable option depending on the materials used.
While 3D printing is making the rounds in the fashion industry, novel fabrics have also been making a mark in this field. Fabrics such as lab-grown leather might shape the future of fashion as it pushes the boundaries of technology and sustainability.
As mentioned, sustainability has also been the new buzzword these days. Slow fashion is the trend given that consumers are becoming more aware of garments’ environmental and ethical impact.
Fashion and technology are intertwined as they both pave the way for a better lifestyle for each individual. While these are some technological innovations that have made a mark in the fashion industry, sustainability remains a big concern in fashion.
Sustainable Fashion
Fast fashion might be the culprit of a percentage of the world’s garbage pile nowadays. Still, sustainable fashion lies in how the materials have been used and the ethical aspects of production.
The whole supply chain of a fashion ecosystem should be considered when checking if a piece of garment is part of the slow fashion movement. It is best to choose materials that are made to last longer to avoid the quick disposal of clothing that is easily torn or worn out.
Although choosing the slow fashion route is a responsible step, it will not be easy to take. The important thing to remember is to take it one step at a time until you build up a healthy habit and a healthy relationship with clothing.
It might be easy to disregard your purchases’ impact, but every step counts towards a better environment and workspace for everyone. Sustainability is not about achieving a zero-waste lifestyle, but it’s about being conscious of your choices to minimize unnecessary items in your life.
Fashion might make some people uncomfortable, but fashion is ingrained in our everyday lives. This global industry is woven into our daily choices, so we have to be conscious of our decisions every time we buy a piece of clothing. Sustainability in fashion can be achieved by exerting a bit of effort in researching brands and materials that dominate the market today.
If you’re a lover of technology, that’s something that’ll probably extend beyond the context of your home. There are so many great examples of outdoor tech gadgets that can offer all sorts of things. For people who love exploring outdoors, making the most of the latest gadgets, both for function and fun, is vital.
We’re going to talk about some of the things you might want to consider owning and using if you’re looking to spend more time outdoors with friends and family. The right gadgets can completely change the ways in which you socialise and spend time outdoors. So, read on to find out more about the options you should own.
A High-End Remote Control Car
Remote control cars are no longer just for kids. They’re a whole lot of fun for the whole family. And you’ll definitely recognize that fact when you take a look at some of the high-end remote control cars on the market today. They’re incredibly sophisticated and can reach pretty high speeds. If you’re looking for some boys toys that family members of all ages can enjoy, this is a great place for you to start.
Waterproof Action Cameras
Action cameras like Go Pros and other such products are a whole lot of fun, especially when you’re outdoors and exploring. Nothing is more impressive than looking back at footage from your waterproof action camera taken as you were whitewater rafting or mountain biking through a stunning landscape. They’re a lot of fun and can help to create fantastic and lasting memories of great moments you had outdoors.
A Projector
A projector might seem like the kind of tech that you use indoors, but more and more people are now buying them for use while camping or even while enjoying an evening outdoors. Maybe that’s a good reason for you to invest in one too. A projector will allow you to all sit together and enjoy a movie under the stars in a communal way. It’s a nice way of recreating the drive-in movie theater experience on your own property.
Drones
If you still haven’t taken the opportunity to use a drone, that’s something that you should definitely change. And now is a great time because the technology behind them is improving all the time. You can click here to find out more about them and how you can find one that works for you and the kinds of uses you want to put yours to. As long as you’re careful and learn the ropes, you’ll have a whole lot of fun with them.
If you’re going to be spending a whole day or even longer outdoors, you probably don’t want to be bothered by mosquitos. Well, there are things you can do about that. There’s now a portable electronic mosquito repellent that you can buy. These devices are very impressive and protect the area around you, making them great for when you’re walking outdoors during the summer or when you’re camping overnight. It adds a little extra layer of comfort to your outdoor experience.
Solar Charger
Solar chargers are more important than ever before. We all rely on tech, even when we’re out and about exploring the outdoors. So being able to charge your devices using solar energy is a massive bonus. There are now even backpacks that come with inbuilt solar panels that allow you to charge up devices and power batteries while you’re out walking in the sun. It’s a green and sustainable way to remain powered up when you’re out in the wild.
Go Tenna
A Go Tenna is a device that allows you and the people you’re with to find each other if you get separated outdoors. This is important if you’re exploring a forest by bike or doing anything else that might cause you to get lost and separated from one another. Having an easy way back is a massive bonus and something you should make the most of using a Go Tenna device. Give it a try and see if it works for you. It’s an impressive bit of kit.
These gadgets are all a lot of fun or have a very impressive functional purpose that makes them great to use when you’re out and about. If you’re planning a camping trip or anything like that, all of these tech items will serve you well and enhance your trip in a whole host of different ways.
As a business owner, it’s important that you make an effort to reduce your impact on the environment. There are so many ways that you can do that, but reducing waste is one of the most important things that you need to consider. Most businesses have taken steps to reduce waste these days, but many businesses still generate a lot of electronic waste, and that’s a big problem.
We all rely heavily on computers and smartphones, and when they are discarded, they end up in landfill and can potentially release harmful chemicals into the environment. That’s why it’s so important for businesses to take steps to reduce electronic waste. These are some of the best ways that you can reduce your electronic waste.
Repair Old Computers Instead Of Replacing Them
It’s important that your computers are in good working order because a slow computer has a big impact on productivity. Many businesses will simply replace computers when they start to slow down or they break, but that contributes to a lot of waste, so you should consider repairing them instead. If you have issues with a computer, take it to a company like Nerd2Go and see if they can fix it. In many cases, it’s only one single component that is broken and the rest of the hardware is perfectly fine. Replacing a few simple parts will get the computer up and running again, which means that you save money and you don’t unnecessarily contribute to electronic waste.
Donate Old Computers
Computers have a natural lifespan and, after a while, they will start to run slowly. But even though they’re not fit for business purposes anymore, that doesn’t mean that they’re completely useless. Instead of throwing them in the bin, consider donating them instead. There are some great charities that refurbish old computers and give them to schools or community projects. You could even consider selling them on and putting the money towards your new computers. If you cannot find anywhere to donate your old computers, it’s important that you recycle them in the right way so they do not damage the environment.
Maintain Your Electronics
If you can make your electronics last as long as possible, you don’t need to keep repairing and replacing them as often. Simple things like cleaning inside computers to remove dust can stop components from overheating and extend the lifespan of your electronics. You could even consider simple maintenance, like upgrading the RAM and the hard drive, so your computers will work effectively for longer.
Move To The Cloud
Cloud storage is one of the best ways to reduce electronic waste because it reduces the need for new storage devices to be manufactured in the first place. Having access to all of your data on the cloud also allows easy data sharing within the company and facilitates remote working, which is becoming the norm for a lot of businesses. This is just one of the many reasons why your business should adopt cloud computing.
If you make these simple changes to the way that you manage technology in your business, you can reduce electronic waste in a big way.
Business owners face an array of threats. While it may not be possible to secure and protect your company against every attack, breach or disaster, there are steps you can take to minimize risks. Here is some useful advice for business owners keen to make protection a priority.
Securing your business premises
Whether you run an office-based business, you own or rent a warehouse or a store, or you have a chain of restaurants, beauty salons or healthcare practices, it’s crucial to secure your business premises. Often, commercial ventures are attractive propositions for thieves keen to make money, with stock, machinery, technology and supplies a valuable haul. There are multiple ways you can protect your premises, from investing in security measures and deterrents to limiting entry to trusted personnel. Taking advantage of services like Swiftpro’s trusted ID card solutions and installing barriers or security gates can help you prohibit unauthorized personnel from entering. You can also reduce the risk of break-ins by fitting CCTV cameras, burglar alarms and outdoor lighting. If you are worried about expensive items, or stock that could potentially be dangerous if it gets into the wrong hands, it’s also wise to consider hiring a security firm.
Running a business carries risks, and sometimes, life isn’t plain sailing. Natural disasters, theft and fires can all put the future of a company at risk. You might also suffer if your employees make mistakes or they display negligent behavior. As nothing is certain, it’s critical to take out business insurance. You can insure your premises and any stock, supplies or machinery and tools you own, as well as taking out policies to cover you if clients make a complaint. Look for insurance providers that specialize in your industry, and think carefully about your requirements. Generally speaking, the more expensive the policy, the more comprehensive it is. It is worth using the Internet and making some calls to compare prices and plans before you make a decision.
Reducing the risk of cybercrime
Cybercrime is one of the most significant threats to businesses today. When you read about high-profile data breaches in the news, it’s easy to assume that hackers will only go after large-scale corporations. This is simply not the case, and companies of all sizes are at risk. Research suggests that the global cost of cybercrime will rise to $6 trillion by 2021. It’s essential to protect against cybercrime to minimize the risk of losing money, to shield sensitive customer data and to maintain a good reputation. If your systems are breached, your customers might not feel safe using your business again, and they might defer to a competitor. Make sure your network is secure and provide all your staff with training. Employees should be encouraged to choose passwords that are hard to guess and to change them on a regular basis, and policies and procedures should be updated frequently.
As a business owner, the last thing you want is for the future of your firm to be threatened by a robbery, a natural disaster, an employee error or a cyberattack. It might not be possible to avoid every issue, but making protection a priority will make a positive difference.
A number of small businesses are looking at developing some new technology that can help aspects of healthcare, and the provision that healthcare providers will be able to offer. With a population that isn’t getting any younger, the current global COVID-19 health crisis, we are seeing just how much technology can help to boost healthcare, and also just how much it is needed.
For example, being able to communicate simply and easily with others in the healthcare provision, can really improve the day to day of things with a medical professional. So when there are things like secure and instant messaging that are available, it can be a big benefit as a workflow tool for medical and healthcare professionals. In fact, there is one instant messaging tool called Forward that was created by a junior doctor. They know how the job works, and how a tool like that could be a real benefit. Gone are the days of needing to call a pager, for them to have to get to a phone to call you back. Instant, quick, and in real-time is what medical professionals really need.
Many will use a messaging tool like WhatsApp. However, because of the confidential and sensitive nature of a lot of the information that would be shared around an app like this, and to be able to adhere to legal requirements, having some bespoke for doctors is a must. So there is a need for technology and software in the medical industry to change, upgrade, and become more functional. When medical professionals and practitioners can work more efficiently, isn’t it going to be worth all of the time and money?
So with that in mind, here are some of the latest upgrades in technology in the medical sector, and why it is worth looking into, for your medical practice or care facility.
Manage work schedules
When you have a large team, there is a lot of juggling going on. People may be swapping shifts, and there are a lot of different needs and requirements to rearrange and organize. In an effort to combat this, there was an app created in 2016 called Florence (in a nod to Florence Nightingale), that uses technology to help to deal with the care sector’s crisis in nursing.
Again, designed by a doctor, it was created in order to combat a lot of inefficiencies with how they dealt with staffing and temporary staffing. Using the app, you can fill any shift vacancies much more efficiently, and it also allows nurses to have much greater control over the work that they do. So it is a benefit all round, and makes sure that nurses are in place in care homes, as and when they need to be. Patients are still number one, and it helps them to be cared for more efficiently. Small changes can make the day to day life of medical practitioners much simple and much more efficient. Of course staff schedules need to be done, but not at the detriment of patients. So this is a really positive move.
At the end of the day, medical practitioners are there for their patients, and so if they can do their job more efficiently, but help patients in a better way, then it is going to see a huge improvement in the industry. Something that could be a big benefit for medical practitioners is getting a new and improved EEG, to help with problems in the electrical activity of the brain, which can occur because of a brain disorder. An EEG reading is used to confirm, or to rule out, a variety of conditions, including things like epilepsy or other seizure disorders, as well as head injuries. If medical practitioners have an updated EEG, then it allows for readings in real-time. This helps medical practitioners to be able to make much quicker decisions for their patient, helping their overall patient management. Using technology to improve how they can help patients is something that is so important.
Buffer between appointments
Technology, when used in the right way, really can help to save time, and to help patients choose the right kind of healthcare that they need, the support that they need, and also plays a part in early intervention for some patients. Many medical practices are using video technology to talk with patients in-between consultations, and even for appointments. An app called LIVI has been used and trialed in the UK, and it allows people to have an appointment in the comfort of their own home, or on their travels, just using their smartphones. Connected to a medical practice it means that they can get prescriptions, and the doctor on the end of the phone can see the patient’s information, to best provide and advise.
Not only can it help patients, but having some electronic notes can actually be of benefit to the practice, as they are much more convenient to store. Of course, there are a variety of video call software that you can use, with many of them recording calls and consultation, which means that clinical governance or audits won’t be a problem. Although this shouldn’t fully replace having a face-to-face consultation between doctors and patients, it can be a big benefit for some immediate peace of mind, relief, or quick access to a particular prescription.
Technology impacts our lives in so many ways, and if you are a medical professional, then you really need to think about the technology that you use to make life simpler, and more efficient, for yourselves. Being able to take care of patients better, and make your daily life better, makes complete sense, and it is great that we live in such a time when we do have access to such technologies. Who knows what the future will bring, and how much more access we will have to improved technology, to help to improve our jobs. Have you any thoughts on this? It would be great to hear what you think.
Camera technology is always a hot topic as everyone likes to take great photos. We know that a general trend in the industry is that photos get better and clearer year after year. You only have to compare a photo from a modern camera to one back in the year 2000 to see how far we’ve come.
This begs the question: what does the future hold for camera technology?
Specifically, what can we look forward to as consumers? Are there any technologies or features that will become more prominent in the next five or ten years? To answer this, we can look at some of the current trends while mixing in a few predictions of our own.
Enhanced technology in smaller packages
Much like the future of gaming, camera technology seems to be focused on delivering big hits in small packages. What we mean is that you see better quality photos in much smaller devices. Smartphones are a prime example of this. Unless you’re buying a proper DSLR camera, you’re unlikely to find a digital camera with as much photo-power as a modern smartphone. The cameras on these things are tiny, yet they’re capable of producing crystal-clear imagery. We’re bound to see this trend continue as professional photo-power will soon be available through smaller mobile devices.
Low-light technology
There’s been a huge trend in the photography world around low-light technology. Nobody likes taking photos in a dimly lit area as the quality deteriorates. Not only that, but adding a flash to proceedings can mess up the image you wish to create. Therefore, many cameras are being built with low-light features to take better photos in darkness. This enables you to capture things as a more accurate representation of what you see with your eyes. How often have you seen an image or looked through a camera and seen something that looks clear and awesome? Then, you take the photo and it just looks dark and blurry. Low-light technology corrects this, making night-time photos more appealing.
Drones fit into the first point about big tech in small packages. However, they deserve a spot on their own as drone cameras are a huge trend. It mentions on DrDrone that some drones already have HDR capabilities and up to 48mp sensors. This is already a dramatic improvement on the first drone cameras we ever saw. However, things are bound to get even better. Drone cameras are receiving significant attention from some of the biggest camera giants in the photography world. The aim is to create something that delivers DSLR levels of quality in something that flies up high. Of course, this demands a great balance between camera technology and drone weight. So, it will be interesting to see how close these cameras get to rivaling handheld professional ones.
Better selfies
Selfies are probably the strangest trend in the world of photography. Who’d have thought they would become this popular? We’ve mentioned smartphones already, and selfie cameras have become a key selling point of these devices. People want clear and HD images of themselves! But, this will translate into the wider camera world as well. Many handheld cameras come with screens that can be flipped around to let the user see themselves. This makes selfies a lot easier to do as you remove the guesswork. So, expect to see more cameras adopt an emphasis on selfies. This could come in the form of flippable screens, or it could be through accessories. Either way, DSLR cameras will become more capable of rivaling smartphones for top-quality selfies.
One battery cameras
Typically, a DSLR or handheld camera will come with a place to put a battery. When the battery runs out of charge, you swap it for a charged one and re-charge the old one. It’s a good system, but it can be improved. In the future, you can expect to see cameras that require one battery. They will work like smartphones in that you simply charge the camera when the battery is low. However, things can be taken to another level by implementing solar power. A camera will usually be out in the sunlight, so it makes sense to take advantage of this? Some manufacturers are already toying with the idea of adding solar technology that charges the camera while you use it. Or, it stores the energy generated into a reserve battery, calling upon it when required. The idea is that your camera will never run out of charge when you’re out and about! Funnily enough, many security cameras already implement this technology.
Which one of these trends do you think is more likely to take off? Better yet, which one are you most excited for? Regardless, the future of camera technology certainly looks very intriguing.
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